Chapter 185

Chapter 185

Leanne was on an emotional roller coaster when it came to her feelings for Curtis. It was a tumultuous mix of love and hate.

On one hand, she was miffed that he’d set a trap for her to fall into, and on the other, she felt enveloped by joy in that very trap, almost tempted to sing him a song of thanks.

“Aren’t you supposed to be back tomorrow?” she asked again.

Curtis stretched out languidly, “The pilot must’ve had a lead foot today, and we made it back ahead of schedule.”

A flight was only about three to four hours. To arrive a day early, it would have to be a time machine, not a plane.

But if he hadn’t come back, she wouldn’t have had the chance to get cozy with Larissa.

So Leanne bit back her retort and swallowed her grievances silently.

“Who’s the guy you were on the phone with?” Curtis inquired.

“Which guy?” Leanne asked, genuinely puzzled

Curtis hummed dismissively, “The busy bee buzzing around you. You’re asking me?”

Busy bee? Leanne’s mind clicked, Jeremy. He must mean Jeremy.

“Jeremy had work commitments. He just dropped Penelope off and they left soon after.”

“So you met his mother too? You’re moving fast,” Curtis said, a hint of sourness in his voice. “If I had come back a day later, would you two be picking out baby names?”

Leanne’s gratitude evaporated as she shoved past his arm and strode ahead.

Around the gossip-laden table, everyone’s curiosity

was a

Joy and Selina were hardly able to contain their excitement, both fixated on the unfolding drama.

“Where’s the picture? Do you have a picture?”

“I heard that Larissa is pretty standoffish in private. Is she easy to get along with?”

“What did she say to you just now?”

“Does she smell as good as she looks?”

“She’s very down-to-earth. The photo is with her assistant, and she said she’ll send it to me later,” Leanne said, pulling out her phone and opening Twitter. Then she turned to Curtis, who had followed her over.

Curtis settled into the seat beside her, “Why are you giving me those puppy dog eyes?”

11:23

Chapter 185

“Just add contacts,” Leanne whispered as if guarding a precious secret, not wanting to stir any trouble for Larissa.

Curtis chuckled at her cautious demeanor, his earlier jealousy dissipating, a smile playing on his lips, “I’ll add when we get home.”

Leanne understood the risks of waiting, “Why wait? You could just take out your phone

and add it in half a minute.”

“Because I find it fun to put you on the edge a bit.”He said it with such openness, leisurely leaning back in his chair, it was hard to tell if he was teasing her or being genuinely affectionate, “Leanne, indulge me a little.”

Leanne, considering the value of Larissa’s contact, held her irritation in check, “Are you a toddler needing to be cajoled?”

At that moment, Joy and Selina, quick on the uptake, pieced together the key information from their exchange and Leanne’s exasperated expression.

He had Larissa’s contact.

Without a word, they exchanged glances and stood up.

Joy grabbed a gleaming stainless steel fork, while Selina snatched up a bottle of wine from the table.

“So, what do you prefer, Mr. Curtis? Steak or chicken?

“Curtis, red wine or champagne for you?”

Leanne covered her face in embarrassment, “Shame on you!”

Curtis dismissed them, “Scram, you’re cramping my style.”

Their interaction didn’t go unnoticed by Lisa, sitting across from them. She hadn’t paid much mind to Selina, the minor internet celebrity, or her two tag-along friends, but now she was all smiles and ready to ingratiate herself.

Lisa rose, circling the table with a bottle of wine in hand, sidling up to the pair with a sycophantic air, “Oh look, we’re all acquaintances here. Honey, you should have said. something earlier. We were gossiping about you right to your face. How embarrassing!”

Her tone was overly familiar, prompting Curtis to glance at Leanne, “Friend of yours?”

“I don’t know her,” Leanne replied, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, but heard by everyone at the table.

Lisa’s smile faltered, “I’ve heard Devin mention you so often, but never had the chance to meet. It’s a pleasure to finally see you in the flesh. You’re truly stunning, and Mr. Curtis is even more handsome than in the photos.”

Leanne’s expression remained unchanged, “Did Devin tell you I was hideous?”